Helping Heroes Grant

The Helping Heroes Grant is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to US veterans who were honorably discharged and who are a former or current member of a reserve or TN National Guard unit.

The award amount is $1,000 per semester for a student who successfully completes twelve (12) or more semester hours with no failing grade as the final grade for the course. The student shall receive $500 per semester for successfully completing six (6) to eleven (11) semester hours with no failing grade as a final grade for the course. The student shall not receive an award if enrolled in fewer than six (6) semester hours.

The Helping Heroes Grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to be eligible, the student must:

Be an honorably discharged veteran who had formally served the armed forces of the United States, or a former or current member of a reserve or Tennessee National Guard unit who was called into active military service of the United States

Be a Tennessee resident for one year preceding the date of application for this grant

Be awarded the following:

Iraq Campaign Medal;

Afghanistan Campaign Medal; or

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, on or after Sept. 11, 2001

Complete the application for a Helping Heroes Grant for each academic year. The application processing deadline are: September 1 (or the following business day) for fall enrollment, February 1 (or the following business day) for spring, or May 1 (or the following business day) for summer enrollment. Please mail your DD-214 to the address below or fax it to the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation at (615) 741-6101.